Child Injured In Peninsula Mountain Lion Attack

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A child was injured in a mountain lion attack in rural San Mateo County, authorities said Tuesday night.

The child was taken to a local trauma center after the attack, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The extent of the child’s injuries wasn’t immediately known.

The attack occurred in the 1000 block of Tunitas Creek Road, around 10 miles south of Half Moon Bay, a community still reeling after just over a week ago a mass shooting killed seven people.

"Our coastal community has endured so much these past few weeks," San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a statement.

"Our entire agency is saddened of this news and sends many warm wishes to the child for a speedy and full recovery. Our thoughts are with the family at this time."

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating the attack.

No additional information about the attack was immediately available.

Mountain lion attacks are extremely rare. California has seen just 22 confirmed attacks since March 1986, according to the DFW’s website. The only two confirmed Bay Area attacks occurred in Santa Clara County (September 2014 and February 2020).

“An attack is verified only when a physician, law enforcement officer or CDFW personnel determine the injuries were caused by a mountain lion,” the DFW’s website said.